Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme

The Jack Petchey Anthem is sung by Young and Talented Performance Group. Song written by Chris Hatwell. Musical arrangement Suzann McLean. Produced by Jordan Xavier.

Young and Talented School of Stage and Screen are delighted to be a part of the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme. It is an excellent way for us to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the work that the young people do and raise their aspirations.

Since its establishment in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation has supported thousands of organisations that help young people to achieve their goals in life and has granted several millions to improve young people’s lives. Young and Talented were one of 150 organisations chosen to receive a special Jack Petchey Crystal Award to celebrate the foundation’s 15th birthday, in recognition of our ongoing commitment to young people and maintenance of high management standards. We were extremely honored to receive the award at City Hall another milestone in an already impressive history of Young and Talented.

Thanks to the Jack Petchey Foundation, Young and Talented has become a place for young people to be inspired, motivated and reach their full potential. Each term, through a nomination process, one student is selected to receive an Achievement Award. The winner receives a framed certificate, badge and a cheque (payable to Young and Talented) to be spent on something for the whole group to benefit from and enjoy. Award winners also receive a boxed Achievement Award Medallion which is presented at an annual awards ceremony.

We would like to thank The Jack Petchey Foundation for their incredible support throughout the years and their continued interest in Young and Talented, which has contributed to making our organisation the East London hub for any young person with an interest in the arts, regardless of their background and experience.“To be recognised in this manner is a tremendous honour” said Charles Thomson MBE (Young and Talented board member).

ROLE OF HONOUR

La’Shay Marcel – Dilaver

Gemma Benjamin

Ellie Sanderson

Anna Utalishvili

Georgia Murphy

Rhe’Anne Nurse

Marin Distafa

Bethany Knight

Ayanna Christie-Brown

Ellis George

Nadia Elafi

Jack Sands

La’Shay Marcel – Dilaver

Age of award winner: 14

La’Shay is a valued member of Young and Talented. She is a triple talent performer who performed in the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge at the Broadway Theatre in Barking. La’Shay demonstrates strong leadership skills and acted as an ambassador for Y&T when meeting the Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

​​La’Shay decided to spend her £250 prize money on a sound system for the Dance studio.

Gemma Benjamin

Age of award winner: 13

Gemma was a popular vote amongst her fellow peers. ​Over the years she has demonstrated that hard work, passion for what you do and eagerness to learn new things help you to reach the top. ​Gemma was selected to be dance captain for the musical Butter Brain at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

​Gemma decided to spend the £250 prize money on props and costumes for her group’s performance in “Butter Brain the Musical” on 17th July at Theatre Royal Stratford East. ​

Ignas Smitrius

Age of award winner: 19

Ignas is a creative genius at Young and Talented. He always thinks outside of the box and delivers exceptional performances. Ignas brings his European roots into his work and celebrates the diverse and inclusive life at Y&T.

Ignas decided to spend the £250 prize money on taking his group to see the play X at the Royal Court Theatre on Saturday 30th April 2016

Georgia Murphy

Age of award winner: 19

Georgia is a very talented member of Young and Talented at the Broadway Theatre as both an actress and singer​. Over the 3 years she has demonstrated courage, determination, commitment, heart​ and ​talent​.

Georgia decided to spend the £250 prize money on taking her group to see the promenade production of the Merchant of Venice on Saturday 9th July and the play Gulliver’s Travels at Wilton’s Music Hall on Wednesday 27th July.

Anna Utalishvili

Age of award winner: 13

Anna was a popular choice in the group. She is a community champion always
cheerful, supportive and happy. Many young people across East London are grateful to Anna as she successfully pitched to Tower Hamlets Youth Opportunity Fund to make a Music Video. Anna proves to be a great leader and as a result of her dedication and passion to do well she has become an excellent role model.

Anna chose to spend her award on a smoke machine and microphones for her group’s performance.

Ellie Sanderson

Age of award winner: 16

Ellie has a bubbly personality. She is always up for a challenge and motivates and inspires others. Ellie likes to get involved
in various activities such as volunteering and mentoring younger students at Young and Talented. Ellie is also an invaluable member of Young and Talented Performance Group, her transformation since joining in 2014 is extraordinary.

Ellie chose to spend her award on an e-piano for the Vocal Collective group.

Bethany Knight

Age of award winner: 15

Reason for award: Bethany is an inspiration to everyone and she is incredibly hard-working. Since joining Y&T she has worked with
increasing effort, focus and determination. Bethany proved herself to be a fantastic team player and leader. She is a person of unquestioned
integrity with a willingness to dedicate herself to others in order to support them in their personal growth and development. Bethany is
involved, dedicated, and caring—the “poster child” of leadership.

£ 200 grant has been used for: Bethany chose to spend her award on taking her BYT group of 18 to see the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge
Final on Saturday 6th December 2014 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Southbank.

Ayanna Christie-Brown

Age of award winner: 15

Reason for award: Ayanna is a worthy role model who has gone above and beyond to balance her extracurricular activities with academic responsibilities. Ayanna has made a lasting impression on many. She was part of the group ‘The Real Deal’ who won the CBBC Sport Relief Does Glee Club in 2012. This significant accomplishment developed Ayanna’s vocal ability and led on to many special performances such as The Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays, Product of A Postcode charity event, several Community Award shows and the final of the Jack Petchey Glee Club 2013 at the O2 Arena and 2014 at the Southbank.

200GBP grant has been used for: Ayanna chose to spend her award on taking a group of 14 Y&T students to see the Jack Petchey Glee Club
Challenge Final on Saturday 6th December 2014 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Southbank.

Reason for award:
Ellis has an extremely positive and proactive approach to life. She is always up for a challenge and motivates and inspires other students. Ellis makes a valuable contribution to Y&T life, she has represented Y&T at various events and her talents have been recognised through her winning a regular role on TV in Dr, Who.

£200 grant has been used for: Ellis chose to spend her award on costumes for her group of 20 students to wear for the opening number for Y&T’s 10th year Anniversary Gala. The costumes suit Ellis’s funky cutting edge style and her love for footwear.

Sabrina Sousa

Age of award winner: 14

Reason for award: Sabrina has made a fantastic start to her journey at Young & Talented putting great effort into the creation of the music video for The Rights of the Child. As a result of her dedication to performing and a passion to do well she has become an excellent role model.

£200 grant has been used for: Sabrina chose to spend her award on taking a group of 20 Y&T students to see I Can’t Sing at the London Palladium on Wednesday 12th March 2014.

Name of award winner: Nadia Elafi

Age of award winner: 15

Reason for award: Nadia is an inspiration to everyone and she is incredibly hardworking. She has strong leadership skills and has demonstrated this through up her time to create the musical for the Y&T students. Nadia is well respected by her peers and uses her baking skills to keep the group socially interactive.

£200 grant has been used for: Nadia chose to spend her award on taking a group of 15 Y&T students to see Let The Right One In at the Adelphi Theatre on 28th May 2014.

Chloé Harvey

Age of award winner: 16

Reason for award: Chloé always makes an outstanding contribution to Y&T life. She is extremely dedicated to practicing and performing and uses her creativity to push the boundaries of what is possible in theatre. Chloé gives 100% effort to pursuing her passion, using every opportunity to create the very best work by young people for young people.

£200 grant has been used for: Chloe chose to spend her £200 award on costumes for her group of 18 young people aged 14 – 19yrs old. These costumes will be used in a musical that the group created themselves called “Benefits: The Musical”.

Jade Benjamin

Jack Sands

Age of award winner: 14

Reason for award: Jack is a fantastic ambassador for Young and Talented and was a very popular choice amongst his peers; noted as someone who they trust and respect. Jack demonstrates strong leadership skills through development of his character and personality. As a member of the CBBC winning group The Real Deal Jack continues to be a committed and talented performer.

200GBP grant has been used for: Jack chose to spend the grant on a electrical fan for the dance studio at Oxford House. This will not only help the ventilate the studio for Young and Talented but also for all other groups who use the venue.

February 2013

Gabriella Guselli

Age of award winner: 13

Reason for award: Gabriella’s talents thrive at Young and Talented. She demonstrates dedication to becoming a triple threat performer developing her acting, singing and dancing skills. She has a positive attitude and is always friendly, polite and respectful to everyone.

200GBP grant has been used for: Gabriella spent the money on theatre tickets for the Teens group at Y&T. 20 students went to see Liar Liar at the Unicorn Theatre.

October 2012

Geraint Lewis De Carvacho

Age of award winner: 11

Reason for award: Geraint is one of our most creative members at Young and Talented. He is committed, determined always thinks out side of the box. In our last production Viva Eastender! Geraint stole the show with his ‘bad’ stand-up comedian character. He engaged the audience, made the burst with laughter and delivered an outstanding performance every night.

200GBP grant has been used for: The grant was spent on a SONY HDR-SR10 Camcorder. This will be used during our sessions for the students to film there work, film vox-pops and the share their creativity through digital media.

June 2012

Karim Benotmane

Age of award winner: 14

Reason for award: Karim is a diligent and conscientious member of our senior group at Young and Talented. He always approaches our sessions with a mature and professional attitude. Karim\’s contributions are invariably original and imaginative and he is a pleasure to work with. This was most recently recognised in his agency workshop which has resulted in Karim being signed to BAFTA winning agency Alphabet Kidz. He will now be able to continue to develop his creativity in pursuit of professional engagements. Karim is a great student with huge potential. During his time at Young and Talented he has proved himself to be not only great fun to work with but reliable, adaptable and willing, three qualities that will no doubt serve him well in his future career.

200GBP grant has been used for: Karim chose to spend the grant on purchasing microphones for our end of year show. Our production of Viva Eastender! the Cabaret will take place at Rich Mix Theatre on 21st & 22nd July. The venue does not have boundary mic’s to enhance the vocal quality of group singing so Karim felt that this investment would go a long way in enhancing quality of the production.

February 2012

Jordan Benjamin

Age of award winner: 12

Reason for award: Jordan is a great role model, and triple threat student developing his acting, singing and dancing skills at Young and Talented. He always performs to a high standard and is an extremely talented student who is reliable, friendly, polite and respectful to everyone. Jordan was also a member of our group The Real Deal who went on to win the BBC TV competition Sport Relief Does Glee Club 2012. This was an amazing achievement as the group were voted winners by the public after competing with over 100 groups nationwide. Following this competition Jordan has gone on to audition, and has been recalled, for Thriller Live in the West End. Jordan’s commitment to Young and Talented is unprecedented and we are delighted to give this Jack Petchey Achievement Award to Jordan in recognition of this fact.

200GBP grant has been used for: Jordan chose to spend the grant on costumes for the first televised heats of Sport Relief Does Glee Club 2012. The grant paid for 8 jackets, 8 vest tops and diamante iron on lettering for the back of the jackets.

October 2011

Maria Kelly

Age of award winner: 14

Reason for award: Maria was selected for her willingness to try new things and her commitment to Young and Talented. She has a positive attitude and has used this to overcome her fears and subsequently increased in confidence.

200GBP grant has been used for: Maria spent the money on a Yamaha Keyboard to be used during the singing lessons costing £51.
The rest of the money is being used for a theatre trip. We are still waiting to agree on the show and sorting the tickets out.

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National Arts Awards Qualifications

Young and Talented School of Stage and Screen are proud to offer national Arts Award qualifications.

Arts Awards are a national qualification, which can be gained through our performing arts workshops. Accredited by the Arts Council England and Trinity Guildhall for students aged 11-25 Arts Awards help young people to develop as artists and arts leaders. Perfect for Young and Talented students, Arts Awards recognize individual creative development and are adaptable to all interests and abilities.

The programme has two strands – arts practice and arts leadership and students must gather evidence of their creative and skills development, which they present as a portfolio.
There are no entry requirements. Qualifications are awarded at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, which are equivalent to GCSE and A Level standard qualifications. The Gold Award is now recognised on the UCAS (University and College Admission Service) points system. When students have successfully completed their portfolios and have been marked by an Arts Award Assessor, they are required to be moderated by Trinity-Guildhall. Trinity College, London is the awarding body.

If you would like to take an Arts Award as part of your regular workshops please speak to the centre coordinator. Please note, there is an extra cost for the registration and moderation of this award.